LONDON — At least one person was killed and eight others remained trapped Wednesday after a hotel partially collapsed near the banks of the Mosel River in western Germany, police said.
Police said they believed 14 people were inside the hotel in the winemaking town of Kroev at the time of the collapse late Tuesday evening.
Five people escaped unharmed, while the other nine were buried beneath the rubble, police said.
Debris are seen after the collapse of a hotel in Kroev, Germany, on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024.
Christian Schulz/AP
“Due to the damage, this is an extremely demanding operation, as the building can only be entered by emergency services with the greatest caution,” police said in a statement.
As of Wednesday morning, one person had been confirmed dead but their body had yet to be recovered.
A firefighter carries a woman after a hotel partially collapsed overnight near the banks of Germany’s river Moselle in Kroev, Germany, August 7, 2024.
Alex Kraus/Reuters
Eight others, including some who were seriously injured, were believed to be still trapped, according to police.
Search and rescue operations were ongoing, police said.
A tragic incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in the town of Meppen, Germany, as a hotel partially collapsed, leaving one person dead and eight others trapped inside. The incident has shocked the local community and raised questions about the safety of buildings in the area.
According to police reports, the collapse occurred at around 3 am local time at the Hotel Europa, a popular destination for tourists and business travelers. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that heavy rainfall in the area may have weakened the structure of the building.
Rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the scene, and efforts are currently underway to free the trapped individuals. Emergency services are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of those still inside the building, but the process is slow and delicate due to the unstable nature of the structure.
Local authorities have urged residents to avoid the area surrounding the hotel as a precautionary measure, and have asked for patience and understanding as they work to resolve the situation. The community has come together to offer support and assistance to those affected by the tragedy, with many expressing their shock and sadness at the events that have unfolded.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regular building inspections and maintenance to prevent such tragedies from occurring. It also highlights the bravery and dedication of emergency services personnel who put their lives on the line to rescue those in need.
As the investigation into the cause of the collapse continues, authorities are calling for increased vigilance when it comes to building safety standards. The safety of residents and visitors must always be a top priority, and steps must be taken to ensure that similar incidents do not happen in the future.
Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragic event, and we hope for a swift and successful rescue operation for those still trapped inside the hotel. May this serve as a wake-up call for all involved in ensuring the safety and security of buildings in our communities.
